The list in brief
1. Best overall
2. Best wireless
3. Best budget
4. Best premium
5. Best value
FAQs
The best Nintendo Switch headsets come highly recommended if you want to immerse yourself in some of the best games on the hybrid console with enhanced audio. Wearing a headset can drastically improve your gaming in either handheld or docked mode, and we've pulled together the best of the best to help guide your purchasing decisions.
While the Nintendo Switch OLED does boast improved on-board speakers, the original model's aren't particularly special and are admittedly quite tinny-sounding depending on the title in play, so the best way to make the most of the best Nintendo Switch games is through one of the best Nintendo Switch accessories.
We've pulled together headsets that not only offer quality sound, but offer comfort, and style all in one go. Our definitive list of the best headphones covers the best products available right now, so regardless of your budget and preferences, we've gone through the lot.
The Quick List
Best overall
The HyperX Cloud Alpha is the best overall headset for Nintendo Switch because it offers high-quality audio for a reasonable price. Though it may not be too flashy, the balanced sound profile and solid construction make it a top option.
Best wireless
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless is a fantastic headset for Nintendo Switch since it allows you the flexibility of being able to use the console either docked or handheld without being tethered to a cable.
Best budget
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is a great all-around headset, whether you're exclusively using it for Nintendo Switch or if you're looking for a general product to cover all grounds.
Best premium
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S is one of the brand's finest headsets, packing superb comfort and 7.1 ch virtual surround sound support.
Best value
Don't be fooled by its playful aesthetic; the PDP Realmz wired headset for Nintendo Switch offers great sound and build quality for its price.
The best Nintendo Switch headsets in 2024
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The best Nintendo Switch headset
✅ You want a decent, affordable headset: The main appeal of the HyperX Cloud Alpha is the affordable price tag. Even though it's a cheaper alternative, it still offers some impressive audio capabilities.
✅ You want a solid build headset: While the HyperX Cloud Alpha isn't going to turn many heads, its style and construction are still strong considering its humble price tag.
❌ You want a Nintendo Switch headset for voice chat: The sound quality from the headset is strong, but we can't say the same about the detachable microphone for voice chat.
A headset design synonymous with gaming, the HyperX Cloud Alpha is a great choice for Nintendo Switch owners looking for a comfortable catch-all solution. This revision of the Cloud design isn’t much to look at but it’s sleek enough to blend in when you’re outdoors, especially without the noise-canceling microphone attached, even if the quality of the output isn’t much to shout about.
Coming in with a modest asking price of $74.99 / £64 / AU$114, you’ll struggle to find a headset that sounds as good as the Cloud Alpha for your money, with its booming bass and defined mid-tones.
Having the volume control on the headset wire is useful so you can switch it up on the go, and the memory foam ear cups ensure it won’t feel itchy or uncomfortable even after long gaming sessions on the Nintendo Switch. The design is very durable due to the aluminum band up top and the braided wire, so if you’re typically reckless with your headsets, it’s well worth considering, especially for the price.
- Read more: Hyper X Cloud Alpha Review
The best wireless Nintendo Switch headset
✅ You want something versatile to use across multiple platforms: The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless isn't platform-specific so you're able to use it on PS5, PS4, and PC as well.
✅ You want to invest in something that'll last: For the asking price, the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless is excellently put together.
❌ You want a consistently comfortable headset: While the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless feels great on the head, it can start to feel a little uncomfortable after many hours of play at once.
Built to offer a wireless audio experience on the Nintendo Switch, the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless is the cordless headset of your dreams if you want some quiet time with Nintendo’s lavish library. Using a small USB-C dongle, you can plug and play and get rid of the frustration of having a wire to contend with. The subtle, tactful matte black design also lets you blend in public if you want to use it across all of your devices.
With 20 hours of battery life and visceral sound to eke out all of the nuances in a Nintendo game’s score, you will definitely get your money’s worth out of this headset if your main deal-breaker is wireless functionality.
Coming in at just $65.12 / £79.99 / AU$122, it’s comparable to other wired headsets of similar quality. However, in our testing, we noticed that the lack of padding can make the SteelSeries Arctic 1 Wireless uncomfortable after long play sessions. It's not the worst experience, not by a longshot, but meant that after playing for hours on end that it wasn't quite as comfortable as some other headsets we've used.
- Read more: SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless Review
The best budget Nintendo Switch headset
✅ You don't mind a cheaper feeling headset. We don't think the materials of this headset are the best, but that doesn't mean it lacks audio quality. It's still capable of delivering fantastic audio, despite being slightly on the cheaper end of the scale.
❌ You want surround sound: The budget price point means you're missing out on surround sound with the Turtle Beach Recon 70N.
If you’re on a budget, the Turtle Beach Recon 70N is an absolute no-brainer. Retailing for only $49.99 / £29.99 / AU$65, you're getting a comfortable, well-made headset, a clandestine, flip-to-mute microphone for Nintendo Switch Online multiplayer, and 40mm speakers to immerse you in the latest games.
The leather-wrapped cushions will help to drown out the outside world, so you can focus on what matters most: the gameplay. Overall, we have been impressed by the no-frills package for Nintendo Switch, being surprisingly capable for those with limited funds to spend for intimate gaming and online multiplayer.
It’s a no-nonsense option and is compatible with every current-generation console, as well as PCs and mobile phones with 3.5mm connections. As well as being versatile, it’s well worth it if you just need a headset without any of the fanciful features.
- Read more: Turtle Beach Recon 70 Headset review
The best premium Nintendo Switch headset
✅ You're after comfort above all else: Cherish those long gaming sessions? The HyperX Cloud Alpha is one of the comfiest sets around that supports Nintendo Switch.
✅ You want a mic that's detachable: This headset features a versatile mic that can be detached if you're looking to take it out on the go.
❌ You're on a tighter budget: The HyperX Cloud Alpha is cheaper than it has been at launch, but still frequently pushes triple figures.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S is among the brand's best wired headsets. Its sleek black finish is unintrusive, and it features utterly superb build quality and comfort making it an ideal pick for longer gaming sessions on Nintendo Switch. Throw in a detachable mic, and you've got a headset that's portable-friendly and can be taken on the go if you're planning on gaming away from home.
The headset's only major drawbacks are that it's exclusively wired, and Switch users won't be able to make use of its support for 7.1 virtual surround sound. But that's only because the console doesn't support it. When it comes to overall listening experience, the HyperX Cloud Alpha S still provides one of the most premium headset experiences for Nintendo's handheld hybrid.
- Read more: HyperX Cloud Alpha S review
The best value Nintendo Switch headset
✅ You value aesthetics: Not only does this headset sound the part, its bold licensed aesthetic is great for fans and younger audiences alike.
✅ You want comfort at a low price: It's one of the more affordable Nintendo Switch headsets, but it packs a surprisingly high level of comfort.
❌ You want something more versatile: As a cheaper headset, it's missing features like more welcome on-board options and is wired only.
The PDP Realmz wired headset for Nintendo Switch is an especially impressive, all-round package given its relatively low price tag. With it, you're getting surprisingly good build quality, superb comfort and a gorgeous aesthetic. The model we reviewed had a style based on the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, complete with a collectible figure embedded in one of the earcups.
In terms of audio quality, the PDP Realmz wired headset also performs admirably. It's certainly not on the level of something more premium, but for the price, expect to receive clear audio and a pretty decent mic, too. The only major downsides with this headset are that it's exclusively wired and is lacking some of the conveniences of more expensive pairs.
- Read more: PDP Realmz wired headset review
Best Nintendo Switch headsets - FAQs
What is the best headset for the Switch?
Our pick for the best overall Nintendo Switch headset has to be the HyperX Cloud Alpha. It's not the newest, but it's always available at a competitive price point and boasts phenomenal audio and comfort. HyperX rarely misses in terms of quality and value, and the Cloud Alpha headset is no exception here.
What headset do you need for Nintendo Switch?
There's not really a one-size-fits-all headset for Nintendo Switch, nor do all gaming headsets work with the console. However, if the headset is wired (via 3.5mm jack) or has Bluetooth support, it'll more often than not be compatible with Nintendo Switch. As a result, you may already own a headset that'll work with your console.
How we test the best headsets for Nintendo Switch
As you expect when it comes to selecting the very best products available, the testing process is incredibly thorough. The in-built speakers of the Nintendo Switch aren't the highest quality, so having a headset to help immerse yourself further into the best titles is essential, and the products we test need to tick a number of boxes before getting considered for our list.
When it comes to testing headsets, we've been through tonnes of products, so we know what makes something good. Of course, audio quality plays a significant role in selecting the best products, but so does comfort, alongside things like battery life and any additional function headsets might come with.
We update our best of guides as regularly as possible since there are always new products to review and consider adding to the list. We aim to deliver an honest opinion on which products are worth buying, which is why it's important to have a finger on the pulse at all times.
For more Nintendo Switch-specific peripherals, consider checking out our best Nintendo Switch controllers and best SD cards for Switch guides for expert buying advice.
